The ECN No Name Newsletter is no longer being published. This is an archived issue.
[next article]Have you noticed that an additional map has been added to the collection of maps on the walls near room 104 in the MSEE building? Along this hallway a series of maps depicts the growth of the Engineering Computer Network (ECN) since its birth in 1976. As ECN has grown, so have the maps in size and detail. This growth led to a definite challenge for me as I became involved in the latest updates for 1990.
In May, I was asked to complete the "final" alterations to the 1990 map, which was under modification by Steve Weinrich, an intern at the ECN. It was believed that most of the changes had been completed and only a few minor revisions were necessary before the final draft could be produced. Unfortunately, this was an incorrect perception. In reality, with a map this complex, minor changes require major reworks.
So, I began the imposing task. Upon revising the update on the AutoCAD Release 10 program, I returned to the ECN office. Immediately, the ECN personnel appeared with red pens in hand and attacked the map by adding, deleting, and correcting any discrepancy. The result was a chaotic mass of red lines. To my dismay, this scenario occurred often!
Back to the drawing board, or should I say terminal screen, I went. Here I would try to decipher the inky scribbles. Weekly I would post "latest & greatest" map and hope this was the last revision, but the corrections and the confusion never seemed to end. Finally, the day arrived when everyone agreed that the map was accurate and complete. I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the difficult part was over and that I would soon be finished with this project.
WRONG!! That brief euphoric feeling evaporated as I tried plotting the map on the Hewlett Packard Draftmaster in the Agricultural Engineering building. I was plagued with problems. The pens and paper would not cooperate with one another At first, the plotting pens' ink was too faint. which produced a bleeding ink, blurry text, and in some unique areas "invisible ink." After much time and frustration, this obstacle was overcome.
So five weeks later, the project was completed and it was time for me to depart Purdue and go home for a quiet summer vacation. Rest was necessary in order to recuperate from my higher blood pressure, tension headaches, and hair loss (I had pulled out most of it while working on the project.), all caused by these so- called "final" alterations.
Now that the map is done, I share this story not to receive sympathy, but rather, to make a request. Please stop by to view these maps for yourself. Lots of time, energy, effort, materials and headaches have gone into their creation and into the creation of the network itself.
Personally, for each person that I see looking and appreciating the maps, I will know that this is not a "lost cause." After all, my hair has grown back and my blood pressure has returned to normal. However to be honest, I am not disappointed that I will have graduated before the 1992 map will be drawn. But, believe me that person will be in my prayers.
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